Variability in Yield Responses of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotypes under Early Season Drought

Abstract

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the variability in yield responses of peanut genotypes subjected to Early Season Drought (ESD) and to evaluate characters associated with yield. The field experiment was conducted in the rainy and dry seasons. Eleven genotypes of peanut and two water regimes (field capacity and 1/3 available soil water) were laid out in split plot design with four replications. Where, water regimes were assigned in main plots and 11 peanut genotypes were laid out in subplots. Imposition of ESD following re-watering resulted in an increase of pod yield compared to the irrigated treatment. Significant genotypic differences in yield response in relation to ESD were observed in this study and this could be useful in selecting desired genotypes in peanut breeding program. The highest pod yields were found in ICGV 98303 and Tainan 9 in the rainy season, whereas, in the dry season, ICGV 98303 was still highest for pod yield followed by ICGV 98300. After re-watering, SPAD chlorophyll meter reading, leaf area index and biomass productions were increased. Thus, increase in yield was associated with high biomass production after recovery combined with great green leaf area and concentration of leaf chlorophyll.